Optical scanner with floating load cell frame

ABSTRACT

An optical scanner with a floating load cell frame. The optical scanner includes a plurality of planar load cells and a frame for tying the planar load cells together.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to co-pending application Ser. No. ______, entitled, “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE SUPPORT AND WEIGHT MEASUREMENT POINTS IN A SCANNER SCALE COMBINATION”.

BACKGROUND

Conventional optical barcode scanners typically include a mirrored spinner and pattern mirrors that together optically cooperate to generate a scan pattern. This type of scanner may also include a scale assembly including a load cell, weigh plate, and a support structure, sometimes called an H-bar, for supporting the weigh plate on the load cell. This type of scale assembly is bulky and makes isolating the pattern mirrors from dust and debris difficult. The linearity of a single-point scale system is not as accurate, and is subject to variations as a result of the shifting of the scale components in abusive environments and large impacts during shipping.

It would be desirable to provide an optical scanner including a plurality of load cells with a support structure for supporting a weigh plate.

SUMMARY

An optical scanner with a floating load cell frame is provided. The optical scanner includes a plurality of planar load cells and a frame for tying the planar load cells together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an optical scanner;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the optical scanner with the weigh plate removed; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating attachment of the load cell and weigh plate support structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, an example embodiment of optical scanner 10 includes laser 12, mirrored spinner 16, pattern mirrors 18, collector 20, detector 22, and control circuitry 24.

Laser 12 produces a laser beam. Scanner 10 may include one or more lasers.

Mirrored spinner 16 directs the laser beam to pattern mirrors 18 to produce a scan pattern, and receives reflected light from item 30 from pattern mirrors 18.

Pattern mirrors 18 direct the laser beam towards bar code label 32 and direct the reflected light to mirrored spinner 16.

Collectors 20 collects the reflected light from mirrored spinner 16 and directs it towards detector 22.

Detector 22 converts the reflected light into electrical signals.

Control circuitry 24 controls operation of scanner 10 and additionally processes the electrical signals to obtain information encoded in bar code label 32.

Scanner 10 additionally includes a load cell assembly 34 including a plurality of load cells 36.

With reference to FIGS. 2-3, an example embodiment of scanner 10 is illustrated in more detail. In this example embodiment, scanner 10 includes a dual-aperture scanner, although, scanner 10 may alternatively be a single-aperture scanner.

In this example, load cell assembly 34 includes four load cells 34. Load cells 34 may include planar load cells, such as those manufactured by Flintec, Inc. Load cells 34 include flexible loadmounts 48. Load cells 34 are fastened to top mounting posts 52 (FIG. 3) of optics housing 50 (containing pattern mirrors 18) using screws 36.

Floating frame 38 counteracts side loads and minimizes corresponding spreading of load cells 34. The illustrated example of frame 38 is made of metal and includes left frame member 42, right frame member 44, and checker-side frame member 46. Checker-side frame member 46 may recessed to accommodate installation of an electronic article surveillance (EAS) coil 54 around aperture 56. A fourth side frame member may also be included. Scale pins 40 couple frame 38 to load mounts 48 and support weigh plate 60.

Although particular reference has been made to certain embodiments, variations and modifications are also envisioned within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

1. An optical scanner comprising: a plurality of planar load cells; and a frame for tying the planar load cells together.
 2. The scanner of claim 1, wherein the planar load cells include loadmounts.
 3. The scanner of claim 2, further comprising scale pins for fastening the frame member to the loadmounts.
 4. The scanner of claim 3, wherein the scale pins support a weigh plate.
 5. The scanner of claim 1, further comprising: an optics housing including top mounting posts, wherein the planar load cells are coupled to the top mounting posts.
 6. The scanner of claim 1, comprising four planar load cells located at approximately opposite corners of the scanner.
 7. The scanner of claim 6, wherein the frame comprises: a first frame portion on a first side of the scanner and coupled to first and second planar load cells; a second frame portion on a second side of the scanner and coupled to third and fourth planar load cells; and a third frame portion for tying the first and second frame portions together.
 8. The scanner of claim 7, wherein the third frame portion is located adjacent a scanning aperture of the scanner.
 9. The scanner of claim 8, wherein the third frame portion is recessed below the first and second frame members to accommodate placement of an electronic article surveillance coil around the scanning aperture.
 10. An optical scanner comprising: an optics housing including a scanning aperture and top mounting posts arranged around the aperture; a plurality of planar load cells coupled to the top mounting posts including loadmounts; a frame for tying the planar load cells together; and scale pins for coupling the frame to the loadmounts and for supporting a weigh plate above the optics housing. 